March 10, 2023
Bargaining Update
This week we met UW Admin at the bargaining table for our 18th and 19th bargaining sessions. As has become routine, UW Admin arrived at both sessions without any counter proposals prepared. We’ve yet to see counterproposals back from UW Admin post-Strike Authorization Vote about some of our major issues, including Compensation, Professional Development, Childcare, and Non-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment. Below is an overview of some of the proposals we exchanged this week and their main sticking point(s):
- Performance Evaluations: We are still fighting for this process to include supervisor/employee communication around raises and promotions.
- Layoff, Rehire, Seniority: UW Admin would like to provide no more than 30 days notice before we’re laid off; this is not sufficient notice when UW pays many of us at a level that forces us to live paycheck to paycheck.
- PI Eligibility: UW has agreed to require that all departments make a pathway for RSEs to be PIs. However, they are proposing to allow for departments to take up to a year to have these policies in place.
- Hours of Work: Similar to above, UW Admin wants to provide minimal notice to RSEs prior to involuntary FTE changes; we are fighting for RSEs to have more notice before involuntary FTE changes are imposed.
We reached tentative agreements on the following articles:
- Health and Safety
- Telework and Work Location
- Reasonable Accommodation of Employees with Disabilities
- Transportation and Commute Reduction
- Workspace and Materials
Also, a reminder that you can view all exchanged proposals at our Bargaining Center.
We invite you to attend an upcoming bargaining session, and when appropriate, to share an example of how a proposal would directly impact your life and your research. Our next bargaining session is Wednesday, March 22nd. Caucus starts at 8am. Please RSVP here. You can also see other upcoming March sessions at this link.
Unfair Labor Practice Charge
A pre-hearing meeting was held on Monday to find dates to hold the hearing, but UW’s lawyers suggested that they didn’t have availability until July.
Stay up to date with our latest news and actions by following our social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and also, reach out if you have any questions.
In solidarity,
UW Researchers United Bargaining Committee
Thaddeus Armstrong, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Nick Bolten, Computer Science
Jai Broome, Medical Genetics
Erin Carll, Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity
Morgan Crotta, Department of Comparative Medicine
Iván Cruz, Biological Structure
Abby Gambrill, Physiology & Biophysics
Jay Mas Gilvydis, I-TECH/Global Health
Anya Kalata, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Julia Kobelt, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Katherine Lasdin, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Ellen MacLachlan, I-TECH/Global Health
Katie Osterhage, Family Medicine
Deborah Nemens, School of Environmental and Forest Science
Van Redila, Otolaryngology
Annelise Smith, Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors
Galen Stewart, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Kambiz Tavabi, I-LABS
Jacob Tietsort, Comparative Medicine
Stacey Wedlake, Information School
Ryan Will, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Tricia Wu, Biological Structure